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Hoddle open to England role

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has claimed that he would welcome a return to the international fold.

Hoddle, who managed the national team for three years between 1996 and 1999, revealed that he would be keen to play a role in re-energising English football, although he distanced himself from a link to the vacant Under-21s job.

The former Tottenham, Monaco and Chelsea midfielder insisted that a new direction was needed in the way football is coached in England and confirmed that he would be willing to contribute.

"If I was asked by the FA, then yes, I would certainly try to help. I’m not saying I would take the Under-21s job, but that job needs to be looked at and whoever the coach is needs to get the strongest team they can get," Hoddle told talkSPORT.

"Greg Dyke is coming in as new chairman and if there’s going to be reshuffle and a more bullish approach at the FA then I think he’s coming in at the right time.

"And by all means, if I can help the country in any way, shape or form, I would do that."

The Under-21s put on a poor show in the UEFA European Championship in Israel recently, losing all three of their games and exiting at the group stage.

In an attempt to improve future showings, Hoddle said that it is vital for young players to be taught how to retain possession and use both feet.

"We have to revamp our coaching so young kids are comfortable on the ball,” he continued.

“The number one priority in other countries is you have to master the ball, but it hasn’t been like that in England for the last 30 years. If we don’t revamp it, we’ll be in the same boat for another 30 years.

"We’ve got the kids to do that. I see kids at eight, nine and 10 who have got the talent but we don’t work hard enough to turn them into two-footed players. If you do that, you’re playing at 360 degrees all the time and your options are always open.

"There are so many players in world football, let alone in England, who are one-footed, and at a young age the number one priority should be to make them two-footed.

"At that age kids are like a sponge, they soak it all in and learn to re-produce it. By the time they are 12, 13, 14 it’s too late."